LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Webasto has expanded its BlueCool Thermal Storage APU product family to include BlueCool Hybrid, which provides the flexibility to use shore power to run a bunk cooler while providing hotel loads.

The BlueCool Hybrid was revealed at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky. The shore power option extends Webasto’s commitment to helping truck owners significantly reduce or eliminate engine idling without compromising driver comfort or convenience.

“Because it uses electricity from a land-based source, BlueCool Hybrid can produce cool air indefinitely unlike most battery-powered systems that need to be recharged by the engine after a single rest period,” said John Thomas, general manager of Webasto’s Commercial Vehicle Division. “Plus it can deliver AC power for standard household appliances, including laptops and other sensitive electronics, without having to use an inverter or the vehicle’s electrical system.”

BlueCool Hybrid uses a standard 120V AC power source. Its components include an electrical cord (12 gauge, rated for 20 amps); a junction box including relays, fuses, and circuit breakers; a 30-amp battery charger; and a 120V AC GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupt) receptacle for the vehicle’s interior.

When the system detects an outside power source, it switches to “shore power” mode. Electricity from the grid powers the outlets in the bunk, a battery charger to ensure that the battery has sufficient voltage to start the vehicle, and the compressor for Webasto’s BlueCool Thermal Storage unit.

The BlueCool Hybrid APU can operate without shore power to keep the bunk area cool for up to 10 hours using energy that was stored during highway operation. It can also be combined with a Webasto Air Top 2000 ST heater for a complete auxiliary climate control system.

Webasto’s BlueCool Hybrid is available through the WheelTime distribution and service network and truck dealerships across the U.S. and Canada.